Kumamoto Castle (Kumamoto-jo) is one of the most famous castles of Japan, along with Himeji and Nagoya Castles. It was built by the daimyo Kato Kiyomasa, who governed this region, at the beginning of the 17th century. The previous castle had been small, and it took about seven years beginning in 1601 to complete. The site measures roughly 1.6 km east to west and 1.2 km north to south, including structures such as the donjon and other buildings. The stone walls of the castle tower are 13.5 m tall and the donjon itself is 30.29 m tall. The donjon is of a complex and solid construction. The structure of the stone walls is held in very high regard. The buildings were damaged by frequent fires, but 13 of them, such as the turrets, retain their original form and have been designated Important Cultural Properties.